Travel on the Costa Part I — El Consorcio!

Demystifying Public Transport on the Costa del Sol: Consorcio de Transporte Metropolitano del Área de Málaga

Navigating public transport on the Costa del Sol can be overwhelming, with information often scattered, contradictory, and in constant flux. If you’ve struggled to figure out how to travel efficiently — why some buses accept one card but not another, or why discounts don’t apply universally — you’re not alone. This post is part of a series aimed at demystifying transport across the Costa del Sol, starting with the Consorcio de Transporte Metropolitano del Área de Málaga.

What Is the Consorcio del Málaga?

The Consorcio del Málaga is a public transport network that facilitates interurban travel between towns and cities within the Málaga metropolitan area. It provides a unified card system and discounted fares for travel across its member municipalities.

As of April 2024, Fuengirola officially joined the consortium, making it the 20th municipality in the network. This integration enhances connectivity and offers significant savings for residents and visitors.

Which Municipalities Are Currently Part of the Consorcio?

Currently, the consortium covers the following 20 municipalities, serving nearly 1.2 million residents:

1. Málaga city

2. Fuengirola

3. Mijas

4. Benalmádena

5. Torremolinos

6. Rincón de la Victoria

7. Alhaurín de la Torre

8. Antequera

9. Cártama

10. Alhaurín el Grande

11. Coín

12. Álora

13. Pizarra

14. Almogía

15. Casabermeja

16. Colmenar

17. Villanueva de la Concepción

18. Riogordo

19. Valle de Abdalajís

20. Totalán

If you’re in any of these areas, you can take advantage of the consortium’s interurban bus and metro routes.

Municipalities Where the Consortium Operates Both Interurban and Local Services

In some municipalities, the consortium Travel by Málaga Consortium (Consorcio de Málaga) operates both interurban routes and local urban bus services, allowing seamless travel with a single card. These include:

Málaga City

Alhaurín de la Torre

Benalmádena

Rincón de la Victoria

In these areas, the consortium card is accepted across different modes of transport, eliminating the need for separate tickets or cards.

Municipalities with Separate Local Services

In other municipalities, such as Fuengirola, the consortium oversees interurban routes but does not operate local urban bus services. Travelers in these areas must use either:

1. A separate local transport card

2. Coins to pay onboard

This fragmented system can feel outdated and inconvenient, so it’s essential to plan accordingly.

Understanding the Consortium Fare Zones

The consortium divides its transport network into fare zones, and your journey cost depends on how many zones you cross.

Each municipality belongs to a specific zone:

Zone A: Málaga City

Zone B: Torremolinos, Benalmádena

Zone C: Fuengirola, Mijas

Zone D: Coín

Fares: Card vs. Cash

The fares vary significantly between using the consortium card and paying in cash. 

To illustrate how this works, let’s consider a few common journeys:

1. Málaga (Zone A) to Torremolinos (Zone B):

Fare Crossing: 1 zone

Consortium Card Fare: €0.59

Cash Fare: €1.75

2. Málaga (Zone A) to Fuengirola (Zone C):

Fare Crossing: 2 zones

Consortium Card Fare: €0.79

Cash Fare: €2.50

3. Málaga (Zone A) to Mijas (Zone D):

Fare Crossing: 3 zones

Consortium Card Fare: €1.30

Cash Fare: €3.75 Fare

4. Málaga (Zone A) to Antequera (Zone D):

Fare Crossing: 4 zones

Consortium Card Fare: €2.56

Cash Fare: €6.25 Fare

As you can see, the consortium card is significantly more economical than paying in cash.

Current Discounts

Until 30th of June 2025, the consortium is offering a fare discount for frequent travelers. This subsidy applies to interurban travel with the consortium card, making it even more cost-effective to travel between towns and cities.

If you see conflicting information about the discount percentage, it’s advisable to verify the details onboard the buses or at official consortium offices.

Routes Worth Exploring

The consortium offers several iconic routes, ideal for commuters and travelers alike:

M-110 (Málaga-Torremolinos-Benalmádena): A scenic coastal route linking vibrant beach destinations.

M-120 (Torremolinos-Benalmádena-Fuengirola): Another popular coastal route, perfect for day trips.

M-153 (Alhaurín de la Torre-Churriana-Málaga): An inland route showcasing picturesque countryside.

M-112 (Málaga-Rincón de la Victoria): A quick connection to one of the area’s charming seaside towns.

M-344 (Coín-Málaga): For those venturing from rural areas into the heart of Málaga.

Final Thoughts

The Consorcio de Málaga is an excellent tool for navigating the Costa del Sol, connecting towns and cities with ease and affordability. However, understanding its limitations—like its lack of integration with local buses in certain areas — is key to a smoother experience.

Stay tuned for the next post in our series, where we’ll cover how to combine the consortium’s services with trains, taxis, and other modes of transport to maximize your travel efficiency.